LBL and TT - I am five weeks post-op and I have questions/comments

I had my LBL and TT on July 22nd. My first week I don't remember, 2nd week okay and my third week I developed an infection. They didn't have to cut open anything, they said I caught it in time but I did have to go on levaquin for the infection.

Last week was okay and this week I'm noticing so much tightness and pain. I started out with four JP drains total and now I have one left and Im hoping to have this one out on Tuesday.

I look at myself and the only change I see is my stomach is flat (I only get a look at it when I don't have the binder on for a few minutes, still wearing that)

I still have inner thigh sagging skin (which I plan to have that taken care of next year) my butt is smaller, its just that i thought it would be tighter. Also I thought my legs would be tighter on the outside.

I did swell up and gained 15 pounds during my second week but I lost it all and I don't feel swollen. I am even down a few pounds.

I know it takes time to see changes but I just feel right now this is it. I say this only because I don't feel swollen anymore just really tight.

Im feeling very confused, I am hoping that someone can relate and that this is normal to feel like this.

I wasn't expecting a perfect look now, I just thought the outside of my thighs would be smaller because of the LBL being done and that when I have the inner thigh lift with lipo that would take care of the rest.

To be honest, I just went back to work and I didn't think I was going to be out this long. This is one hard surgery to come back from.

 

 

I only had TT that was based on what my HMO would cover so it was more a Panni but with muscle tightening.
That being said, swelling/tightness can go on for even up to six months or more. You are correct, in my opinion, to continue with the binder. I know we all hate putting the damn thing on and we are hot and sweaty with it but I really think the binder helps prevent/alleviate some of the swelling.
MyBariatricLife wrote an interesting post a few days ago on how we feel on/in our new bodies. I'm on my iPhone hence too lazy to search and copy-paste it but it was about 15 posts back and got a lot of comments.
I have had the TT and BL/BR- both covered by my HMO by minimal expectations but for me anything is better than what was. Don't get me wrong - I want my inner thighs and sides of my butt but if my HMO wont cover the cost, I don't have the finds to pay.
I think your body is still settling after the surgery and trauma to it. Also as improved bodies after weight loss and the plastics, we fix one area and then notice other areas that need work. Maybe take a pic every week from now until the end of this year to see and look back at the differences... Also check with your PS the revision process if need be that the you and the PS deem it plausible for your body. I have read the some PS consider revision/tweaking as part of your initial surgery within the first year but not the operating room and anesthiologist.
Mikimi in Israel

Thank you so much for your reply. I had my gastric bypass 10 years ago and have dealt with what losing 195 pounds can do to your body. Now that I was able to have plastics done (had to save money for it), I guess once again looking in the mirror I might even seen all the results the way I should. Taking pics is a great I idea, I took some before pics (the night before the surgery) and I know my dr has some too. I really need to look at those and take some pics today.

 

Thank you again and I will go back now and find the post you were talking about.

I had a LBL and BL in November 2012.  I can tell you just now I'm seeing the full results.  It is WAY TOO early for you to see the final result.

My outer thighs are better, but no where near perfect, and my butt is finally finished changing....it has a nice shape, but still dimpled with cellulite (I did not have any lipo) .......... I wore a two piece bathing suit at the beach all weekend.......in full public view!  And I felt great.  I knew I wouldn't be perfect, but my results are far better than where I was.

Hang in there and give it time.

It's a very hard surgery to come back from.  I know I was out longer than I expected.

Chances are you're still swelling even if you're not feeling it a lot.  I thought my butt looked a little flat.  When the swelling really disappeared, the curve was back.  I thought my belly button was a little too high.  It's settled right into perfect position.  My surgery was in January, and I still find the shape of my body changing and emerging.  I'm not a big fan of patience, but you really need to practice patience....and pull out your "before" photos and look in the mirror at the "after" - always made me feel better!

On the outer thighs, I didn't see a major difference.  I think there's only so much pulling up they can safely do, and most of my excess skin is inner thigh.  If you're having your inner thighs done, that would be an opportunity to have a revision to the outer thighs if you're still unhappy with them.

My two cents worth.

I had a LBL/TT three months ago and had a TON of skin removed. I had a Stage 4 pannus. It was bad. I had a complication with a seroma and an open incision at my tail bone, but now all incisions are healed up finally. I'm experiencing several things:

1) Uncomfortable feeling all along my incision line. It feels like I'm wearing a thong 24/7. I don't like it at all. I can feel the scar tissue inside and it's super lumpy.

2) I'm VERY swollen and look a few months pregnant. I've not yet had a flat tummy and at this point I'm doubting I ever will.

3) Numbness. My outer thighs and parts of my butt are totally numb. So is my belly button. I wonder if I'll ever regain feeling in these areas again.

4) As for how it looks, I'm still trying to get used to the new look. Give it tons of time. I'm not thrilled with this new body but it's so much better than having all the loose skin.

---I feel like the bride of Frankenstein with this scar all around me and my new belly button scar. I'm single and can't imagine anyone ever seeing this body!

---My mons area looks and feels bizarre. He basically had to recreate it. The skin there is a completely different color from everywhere else. And you can tell I was cut and sewn back together in that area. I feel like a Frankenstein freak there as well. He took all the stretched mons skin and tried to flatten it. So now the area with pubic hair is bigger and reaches from thigh to thigh and that's uncomfortable and itchy. I don't like the way it looks but the other option was having it all hang.

---I now have no hips. None. I've always been super curvy and this more athletic square build is completely foreign to me. My pants won't stay up. I need belts I suppose. I feel like a boy in this manner.

---My butt is flat and saggy. Again, I was super curvy and had a huge behind so this is totally new and strange to me.

---My super flabby thighs show even more. And the girls hang really low (they used to rest on my big belly skin). But I am so done with plastics. I have a hard time recovering and I am done!

It's going to take me a long time to learn to live in this new body. Give yourself time, too. I did this for health. My mobility is back and that was my reasoning. So I am grateful I went through with it.

Cinn, I'm so sorry that you are having so many issues. Hopefully these things will resolve in time. Its inspiring that you remain thankful for the good despite all the bad.